Amsal 12:4

12:4 A noble wife ¹  is the crown ²  of her husband,

but the wife ³  who acts shamefully is like rottenness in his bones. ⁴ 

[12:4]  ¹ tn Heb “a wife of virtue”; NAB, NLT “a worthy wife.” This noble woman (אֵשֶׁת־חַיִל, ’shet-khayil) is the subject of Prov 31. She is a “virtuous woman” (cf. KJV), a capable woman of noble character. She is contrasted with the woman who is disgraceful (מְבִישָׁה, mÿvishah; “one who causes shame”) or who lowers his standing in the community.

[12:4]  ² sn The metaphor of the “crown” emphasizes that such a wife is a symbol of honor and glory.

[12:4]  ³ tn Heb “she”; the referent (the wife) has been specified in the translation for clarity.

[12:4]  ⁴ sn The simile means that the shameful acts of such a woman will eat away her husband’s strength and influence and destroy his happiness.